Sinn 140 A S Anniversary: A Space-Proven Icon Returns | Veloce
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Sinn 140 A S Anniversary: A Space-Proven Icon Returns
By Nick·October 27, 2026· 5 min read
Sinn commemorates 65 years with the 140 A S Anniversary, a 300-piece limited edition chronograph with a direct link to space history. This 44mm watch updates its space-proven legacy with modern in-house tech.
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Sinn is celebrating sixty-five years with the one hundred forty A S Anniversary, a limited-edition chronograph directly connected to a pivotal moment in space exploration. This new watch builds on the legacy of the Sinn one hundred forty S, which proved mechanical watches could function in zero gravity during a 1985 Space Shuttle mission. That original watch, worn by German astronaut Reinhard Furrer, became the first automatic chronograph to operate successfully in space.
The anniversary model comes in a forty-four millimeter stainless steel case. Sinn applies a black hard coating over its proprietary TEGIMENT treatment, making the case highly scratch-resistant. Inside, it uses Sinn's S Z zero one automatic chronograph movement, which is built on the architecture of the Valjoux seven thousand seven hundred fifty. This caliber operates at twenty-eight thousand eight hundred vibrations per hour, offering a central sixty-minute counter for improved legibility over traditional sub-dial layouts. It's a modern interpretation of the Lemania five thousand one hundred movement found in the original space-flown watch.
For durability and reliability, the case integrates Sinn's Ar-Dehumidifying Technology, which keeps the movement free from moisture, and the D three System for the crown and pushers, providing enhanced protection against impacts and dust. The watch offers one hundred meters of water resistance, making it suitable for recreational swimming, and it is also resistant to low pressure, a critical feature for its space-faring heritage.
The matte black dial emphasizes pure instrumentation. All key hands and markers, including the chronograph hands, are treated with luminous material, ensuring excellent readability in low light conditions. An internal pilot's bezel, operated by a second crown on the left side of the case, sits securely under the sapphire crystal, preventing any accidental adjustments.
Limited to just three hundred pieces globally, the Sinn one hundred forty A S Anniversary is priced at six thousand one hundred ten dollars and forty cents. It's a highly technical tool watch for any dialhead who appreciates authentic spaceflight heritage and functional German engineering.
For the full breakdown and more details, head over to The Veloce Journal.
Sinn 140 A S Anniversary: A Space-Proven Icon Returns — watch the reel or listen to the full narration.
Limited to just 300 pieces, the Sinn 140 A S Anniversary marks the German brand's 65th year. It arrives with a price of **$6,110.40** (€5,490) and a direct link to one of the most significant moments in space-watch history. This isn't just a commemorative model; it's a technical update to a chronograph that proved mechanical watches could function in zero gravity.
44.0mmCase
$6,110.40Price
300Pieces
10 barWater Res.
The 140 A S continues the story of the Sinn 140 S, a watch worn by German physicist and astronaut Dr. Reinhard Furrer. During the 1985 Spacelab D1 mission aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, Furrer’s privately owned 140 S demonstrated that a self-winding movement would indeed keep winding from the wearer's motion, even without gravity. This new anniversary edition channels that heritage, pairing the iconic case shape with Sinn's modern in-house technologies.
The Sinn 140 A S Anniversary Chronograph
While the visual DNA is clear, the anniversary model evolves the original concept significantly. It uses Sinn's proprietary SZ01 chronograph movement and a suite of case-hardening and dehumidifying technologies that were not available in the 1980s. The result is a watch that respects its past without being a direct reproduction.
A Legacy Forged in Zero Gravity
The foundation of the 140 series' credibility comes from its performance in space. When Reinhard Furrer flew on mission STS-61-A, his Sinn 140 S with its Lemania 5100 movement provided real-world proof of concept for automatic watches beyond Earth's atmosphere. It was a practical demonstration, not a formal NASA test, which arguably gives it a more authentic origin story.
Sinn continued this association with spaceflight. A Sinn 142 S accompanied astronaut Klaus-Dietrich Flade on the Mir-92 mission in 1992. Another 142 S flew on the D2 Spacelab mission aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1993, cementing the family's reputation as a reliable instrument for extreme environments.
The SZ01 Movement: A Modern Take on a Classic Display
At the heart of the 140 A S Anniversary is the Sinn Chronograph Movement SZ01. This self-winding caliber is Sinn’s technical successor to the layout made famous by the Lemania 5100. Its defining feature is a central, jumping 60-minute stopwatch hand.
Instead of squinting at a small sub-dial, the user reads elapsed minutes directly from the main dial axis against the full minute track. This is an objectively more legible system, especially for quick glances. The movement operates at 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour (4 Hz) and is anti-magnetic as per DIN 8309.
The central minute counter is the key functional link between this modern anniversary piece and the original Lemania-powered space watch. It’s a feature that any dialhead obsessed with function-driven design will recognize immediately.
This release is another example of a brand leveraging a historically significant design with modern engineering. It follows a pattern we've seen with watches like the Hanhart 0260 x BAIT Motorsport Chronograph, which reimagined the 417 ES, and the evolution of the Porsche Design Chronograph 1. Each uses a modern movement and materials to bring a classic tool watch into the present.
Engineered for Hostile Environments
The 44.0mm stainless steel case is treated with a combination of Sinn's signature technologies. The base metal is hardened using TEGIMENT Technology to increase scratch resistance far beyond that of standard steel. A Black Hard Coating is then applied over this hardened substrate.
Functional reliability is further enhanced by Ar-Dehumidifying Technology, which uses a capsule and inert gas fill to reduce moisture inside the case and prevent the crystal from fogging. The crown and push-pieces are secured with the D3-System, providing a more robust seal. The watch is pressure-resistant to 10 bar (100 meters) and resistant to low pressure, a key spec for an aviation-themed piece.
Dial, Bezel, and Low-Light Legibility
The matte black dial is pure instrument. Legibility is the primary focus, with luminous coatings on the indices, hour, and minute hands. Crucially, Sinn also applies lume to both the central chronograph seconds and minute hands, ensuring the stopwatch function remains usable in the dark.
An internal pilot's bezel, operated by a crown, sits protected under the sapphire crystal. This prevents accidental adjustments, a common issue with external bezels on tool watches. Its key marker is also luminous, completing a package built for unambiguous time-reading in any condition.
The Takeaway
The Sinn 140 A S Anniversary is a highly technical tool watch for collectors who prioritize authentic spaceflight heritage and functional engineering. Its 300-piece limited run, proprietary SZ01 movement with a central minute counter, and hardened case position it as a specialized chronograph rather than a general-purpose sports watch.
Reference
140 A S Anniversary
Movement
Sinn Movement SZ01 (self-winding)
Functions
Hours, minutes, subsidiary seconds, date, chronograph with central 60-minute counter, interior pilot’s bezel
Case
44.0mm x 15.5mm, Stainless steel with Black Hard Coating on TEGIMENT base
Yes. In 1985, German astronaut Dr. Reinhard Furrer wore his personal Sinn 140 S chronograph during the Spacelab D1 mission on the Space Shuttle Challenger. The watch successfully demonstrated that a self-winding mechanical movement could function properly in a zero-gravity environment.
What is the Sinn SZ01 movement?
The SZ01 is a proprietary chronograph movement from Sinn. It is a self-winding caliber based on the Valjoux 7750 but heavily modified by Sinn to feature a central, jumping 60-minute chronograph counter. This design is intended to improve the legibility of elapsed time compared to a traditional sub-dial.
What is TEGIMENT Technology?
TEGIMENT is Sinn's proprietary surface hardening technology for stainless steel. It creates a protective layer that is significantly harder than the base steel, making the watch case highly resistant to scratches. On this model, a Black Hard Coating is applied on top of the TEGIMENT-treated surface for added durability and a tactical appearance.
How is the 140 A S Anniversary different from a standard Sinn 140?
The 140 A S Anniversary is a special edition limited to 300 pieces for the brand's 65th anniversary. While sharing the same case shape and SZ01 movement, it features a unique combination of polished and satinized surfaces on its hardened black case. It also has specific dial markings and a case back engraving commemorating the anniversary and space history.
GALLERY
WRITTEN BY
Nick
I originally started VELOCE to put my skills to work, hone my app design and web development practices, and dive deeper into the world of horology. I wanted to learn more about the watches, the brands, and the incredible people behind them - the creators, the designers, and the collectors. I love discovering new timepieces and sharing their stories with the world. VELOCE is my ultimate passion project and hobby, the creative space I head to after my full-time job to build something I truly care about.
By Nick·October 27, 2026· 5 min read
